Abstract
In Experiment 1 the effects of partial reinforcement (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%) on acquisition and reinterpreted extinction of the lever response in discriminated avoidance was studied. In general, acquisition rate of the avoidance response was a direct function of reinforcement percentage, but with no evidence of a differential effect on extinction. In Experiment 2 an attempt to introduce partial reinforcement gradually under conditions of extended training demonstrated basically the same findings, with no increased resistance to extinction due to partial reinforcement, but found a dramatic “warm-up” for partial reinforcement. This suggested the need to begin extinction immediately following acquisition rather than at the beginning of the next session.
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References
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Experiment 1 is based on a the Graduate School, St. Louis Uniersity, in partial fulfillment of requirements for the MS degree.
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Davenport, D.G., Olson, R.D. & Olson, G.A. Preliminary analysis of partial reinforcement in discriminated avoidance. Psychon Sci 22, 9–11 (1971). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335913
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335913